In BJP-BJD tussle for Mayurbhanj, why Droupadi Murmu is in focus

The first Adivasi to become the President of India, the BJP has been citing Droupadi Murmu as an example of its commitment to ensuring greater representation for women and the marginalised. President Murmu’s appointment often found a mention in BJP leaders’ speeches during the Assembly elections last year and this time too, while campaigning in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken several times about his government’s decision to nominate “Odisha’s daughter” to the country’s highest constitutional post.

More than any other place in the eastern state, the President is a campaign point for the BJP in her home district of Mayurbhanj where the Lok Sabha polls will be held in the final phase on June 1. The BJP is heavily banking on the Murmu factor to repeat its victory in the tribal-dominated district. Modi is scheduled to visit the city of Baripada in the district on Wednesday. Murmu belongs to the Santhal tribe that has a dominant presence in the districts of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, along with neighbouring Jharkhand.

In the town of Bangiriposi, local Dhiren Marndi who runs a small grocery shop said, “We are proud of Droupadi Murmu who defied many odds in her life to reach where she is today. If not for any other reason, I will vote for BJP this time because of its Murmu decision.”

Murmu started her political career in Mayurbhanj in 1997, getting elected as a councillor from the Rairangpur notified area council (Nagar Panchayat). She served as the council’s vice chairperson. Murmu was first elected to the Assembly in 2000 and served as a minister in the Naveen Patnaik government, holding portfolios such as commerce and transport, and fisheries and animal resources development. She retained her seat in the 2004